Early this morning, word began to trickle out that Republican presidential candidate John McCain had bypassed several obvious choices and decided to name Sarah Palin as his vice presidential pick.

The blogosphere responded with a collective, "Who?"

With the exception of a few fans who had organized "Draft Sarah Palin for VP" blogs and websites weeks ago, most bloggers admitted to being clueless about the Alaska governor.

But within moments of McCain's announcement, blogs were filled with Palin's personal story, her politics and her family. Sites instantly dug up everything from photos of Palin's high school basketball career to magazine covers touting her as the nation's "hottest governor."

Bloggers wasted no time analyzing whether McCain just made the best-- or the worst-- decision of his political career.

Like the profoundly moving and monumentally important nomination of an African-American, this is a historic day-- women having gained the right to vote 88 years and 3 days ago (six amendments later than African-Americans). Unlike Walter Mondale's selection of Geraldine Ferraro-- this time the ticket actually has a chance of winning.

I suppose the Democrats will have the nerve to bring up the "experience" issue. It takes gall, but they will do it, even though Sarah Palin actually has executive experience (mayor and governor), and did not spend the bulk of that time running for higher office.

A moderately libertarian conservative woman, who looks like she came off the set of "Men in Trees" or "Northern Exposure," rides a mean snowmobile, has smoked weed, can shoot a gun, whose first act as governor was the veto of a bill denying state employee's same sex partner benefits, put a stop to the Bridges to Nowhere and successfully took on the whole vile Republican cess pool and corporate welfare state that was Alaska . . .

One scary thought: If something happened to McCain while in office a mayor of a small town in the Alaskan wilderness will become president of the United States. (Shiver.)

McCain! What were you thinking? Was this announcement a red herring? Is there something else up your sleeve? Did you let Sarah's name slip so we wouldn't be so shocked at your real choice?

Did you think the fact that she's a woman would sway the Hillary vote? Do you think Hillary supporters are that stupid? At least Hillary spent some time in the White House and on her own has a lot more experience.

From Hillary's run for the White House to the Obama speech last night and now McCain's vice presidential pick of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska for his running mate, we are observing a singular moment in history. Equality, dignity, humanity, patience, long suffering, forbearance, persistence and courage are playing out on a global stage and Americans are invited to participate.

Perhaps Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best: "It is a lesson which all history teaches wise men (and women!), to put trust in ideas, and not in circumstances."

For every woman who could not vote before 1920, for the toil of civil rights, for glass ceilings, and brave faces-- please, please, register to vote if you are not already-- and stand up on Nov. 4th and show us what ideas you stand behind.

The circumstances, barriers, and blockades are slowly and doggedly being removed. Now is the call to action.

In the greatest day for the conservative movement since Ronald Reagan's re-election, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is now John McCain's running mate. It has been 20 years, but we have one of our own on the national stage. We have a real deal rugged individualist, believer in limited government, low taxes and Second Amendment rights on the ticket . . .

This is for the disaffected conservatives, like myself, who did not plan or were unsure of their support for the Republican ticket. For us, this election is about the future of the Republican Party.

You are not supporting John McCain. You are supporting Sarah Palin, a new face for the party and a new champion for the conservative movement, whether it was in the revolution of 1964 or 1980 that attracted us to the GOP in the first place. Support Sarah Palin. Support the movement.

And just what is it about the Alaska Guv that will appeal to New Jersey voters?

A couple of pointers: No VP pick, short of Bruce Springsteen himself, could put New Jersey "in play" for McCain. We know it. They know it . . .

This women will not resonate with New Jersey voters at all: She has nothing in common with them. She hunts, is a member of the NRA and is solidly anti-choice. She hunts, eats moose hamburger, ice fishes and rides snowmobiles.

She was the second runner up in the 1984 Miss Alaska contest. Maybe if she had won, and at least came to see Atlantic City, then we could talk.

What do you think? Join the conversation and post your comments below.